Motsoeneng hearing ‘looks like sham’

The Humble Scot!

APPEALING the Western Cape High Court’s ruling setting aside Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s appointment will jeopardise the suspended chief operating officer’s disciplinary hearing, which has already been thrown into disarray because of uncertainty about what position he occupies now.

Advocate William Mukhari, chair of the disciplinary panel, will rule on Thursday whether Mr Motsoeneng’s hearing will go ahead or not because the COO’s status is crucial to the process.

Hours after the court set aside Mr Motsoeneng’s appointment last week, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi said she would appeal, while the SABC also indicated it would pursue similar action.

However, legal expert Pierre de Vos said on Wednesday the minister’s appeal would not be taken on legal grounds, "but on something else".

Media Monitoring Africa director William Bird said Ms Muthambi and the SABC’s decision to appeal was "poor".

"It suggests a dogged determination to fight this no matter what. Perhaps if due process in the appointment had been followed originally, and perhaps if the candidate had been doing an excellent job, the decision to appeal could be understood. In the current context, however, it looks simply embarrassing and we really have to ask why they wish to drag this out," said Mr Bird.